Whew, lots of upgrades yesterday!

[Sapphirexae]

Yesterday my X3 had a full day of beauty! Here is what my 2007 Montego Blue beauty was treated to:


1) Adding an OEM Heated Steering Wheel

2) Installation of OEM Running Boards

3) Upgrading ALL interior lights to LED

4) Upgrading Fog Lights to LED (perfect match for OEM Xenon headlights)

5) Upgraded Reverse Lights to LED

6) De-Badged fenders and trunk (no more chrome '3.0si' or 'X3' plastic bits)

[Ven]

I read somewhere, switching fog light bulbs to LED makes the light less useful.

Interested in knowing more about running boards. Can you post info on it? Thanks

[Sapphirexae]

Originally Posted by Ven

I read somewhere, switching fog light bulbs to LED makes the light less useful.

The exact opposite is true. The LEDs are brighter and crisper. The difference is night and day, the LEDs are better in every way.

Originally Posted by Ven

Interested in knowing more about running boards. Can you post info on it? Thanks

They look awesome! I am very happy with them. Installation is very straight forward, if you can turn a screwdriver, you can install them yourself. I installed them purely for aesthetic reasons but they are utilitarian as well.

[Ven]

Thanks, Where did you procure the bulbs from?

Originally Posted by Sapphirexae

The exact opposite is true. The LEDs are brighter and crisper. The difference is night and day, the LEDs are better in every way.


Can you post part # or product page where you got from?

They look awesome! I am very happy with them. Installation is very straight forward, if you can turn a screwdriver, you can install them yourself. I installed them purely for aesthetic reasons but they are utilitarian as well.

[Sapphirexae]

eBay actually.

[campy82]

now much for the running boards if you don't mind me asking? Pics?

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Ven

I read somewhere, switching fog light bulbs to LED makes the light less useful.

This is mostly true depending on the bulb being used. I have yet to see an LED bulb (without projectors or other special housing) that was retrofitted into a factory housing that output more light than the OEM halogens. They look 1000% better, but do NOT output as much light. It can come down to color temp wavelengths and other factors.

Either way, I am going to do the same retrofit on mine. I am not a fan of halogen lighting on any part of a car.

[Sapphirexae]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I have yet to see an LED bulb (without projectors or other special housing) that was retrofitted into a factory housing that output more light than the OEM halogens. They look 1000% better, but do NOT output as much light.

Totally incorrect. My upgraded LED fogs put out much more light and crisper lighting then my stock halogens ever dreamed on. I actually measured light output (front and sides) of my halogens and then of the LEDs. The LEDs reached out further and wider then my halogens.

[crystalworks]

You measured the lumen output of the bulbs? Especially coming off the factory reflectors.

Link to bulbs you used please. I'll give em a shot. I am/was an automotive audio/lighting/etc installer and have a decent amount of experience with different styles of bulbs. I know LED technology is getting cheaper and better, and if these are as good as you say... I'll be the first to report back here and admit it.

[Sapphirexae]

I can't recall the model but I went through superbrightleds.com. I also did the full interior in LEDs at the same time. I also just upgraded every-single bulb (interior and exterior) on one of my Z3 Roadsters. The lighting is outstanding, especially the headlights.......SO awesome!!!!